Many of our planes have movable armrests to allow you to easily transfer from an aisle wheelchair to your seat. Where these armrests are depends upon the type of plane you're on. If your seat doesn't have a movable aisle armrest, speak with a gate agent or a flight attendant and they will see if a more accessible seat is available.

Additionally, some domestic and international airports may use stairs for boarding and exiting the plane rather than bridges. At these airports there are alternative options available, including lifts and stair chairs.

It’s free to check up to two wheelchairs, scooters or mobility devices, including sports wheelchairs and personal medical equipment, in addition to your checked bags. We recommend any mobility device not needed for assistance to your gate be checked in the airport lobby.

Bag charges do apply for checking additional wheelchairs or mobility devices.

If your wheelchair is under 250 pounds it can be stored in cargo on most planes. However, if your chair weighs more than this we might not be able to fly it depending on the type and size of plane you’re on. We reserve the right to deny boarding to your wheelchair if its weight presents operational or safety concerns.

We have wheelchair assistance centers at certain airports. You can also ask any United agent at the ticket counter for assistance.

*The wheelchair assistance location at Houston Intercontinental is after the security checkpoint. You can also get assistance with your wheelchair in the lobby by speaking to an agent at the ticket counter.

You can wait until you get to the gate to check your wheelchair. Your chair can also be returned to you at the gate after you land instead of at baggage claim. Just let a gate agent know before boarding.

If you have a connecting flight and would like to use your personal wheelchair during your layover, let us know before boarding your first flight of the day. And be sure to allow enough time to re-check your wheelchair at the gate for your next flight.

All planes have dedicated space to store at least one adult-sized wheelchair in-cabin when folded or collapsed. If your wheelchair doesn't fit properly, it will be stowed in the cargo area.

Your wheelchair can be checked at the ticket counter or gate as cargo as well. We request all travelers attach instructions to checked wheelchairs so ground personnel handles your equipment properly. Detachable pieces, like seat cushions, sideguards and footrests, can be brought on the plane as carry-on or stowed with the chair in cargo.

Electric wheelchairs must be checked at the ticket counter or gate and transported as cargo. We request all travelers attach instructions to checked wheelchairs so ground personnel handles your equipment properly. These instructions should include information about the type of battery your wheelchair uses and will affect how your chair is transported.

If you aren't sure what type of battery your wheelchair uses, we recommend checking the battery itself as they are required by law to be labeled clearly. Most wheelchairs utilize a gel-cell battery.

If you use the wheelchair filter when you book a flight and have to take a more expensive one for your wheelchair to fit, you can be refunded the price difference. Your flights must meet the following criteria to qualify for a refund:

1. Both flights mut be operated by United or United Express.
2. Both flights must have the same origin and destination.
3. Both flights must be non-stop or both flights must have connections.

You can request a refund after you’ve completed your trip. Include the following in your request:

1. The dimensions you entered for your wheelchair while searching for your flight.
2. A screenshot showing the cost of the flight you weren’t able to take with your wheelchair. Your screenshot must include the dates and the base fare.
3. A copy of your receipt for the flight you were able to take.

How you take a screenshot depends on the device you have. All screenshots must be clear and easy to read.

Sometimes we have to tilt wheelchairs to load them on our planes, but we try to avoid this if we can. When booking your flight, use the wheelchair filter to only view planes that will fit your wheelchair through the cargo door without tilting.

If your wheelchair can’t fit on the plane without tilting, contact our Accessibility Desk at 1-800-228-2744 for assistance. Please note, wheelchairs with wet-cell batteries cannot be tilted during transport for safety reasons.

We may slightly tilt or maneuver your wheelchair during loading or unloading if we’re comfortable we can without damaging it or injuring our employees. Tilting a wheelchair may cause damage to the chair. Please check your owner’s manual and your wheelchair warranty for more information before traveling.

If your wheelchair is lost or damaged, you must provide the following information to our Assistive Device Desk at 1-866-261-2395 or assisteddevice@united.com:

1. Proof the item was lost, such as a baggage incident report number
2. Your itinerary
3. Bag tag
4. Proof of purchase or ownership of the wheelchair
5. The model and serial number for your wheelchair
6. The type of wheelchair

Damaged wheelchairs

All wheelchairs will be inspected, and pre-existing damage documented, when checked in. If we're able, we'll make repairs to damaged wheelchairs or assistive devices so we can return it to you in the same condition it was in when you checked it.

Submitting a claim

All claims for the destruction, loss, damage or delay of a wheelchair or other assistive device are subject to any limitation or defense recognized by a court with proper jurisdiction over the claim. Carrier baggage liability limits don't apply to claims for lost, damaged or delayed wheelchairs or other assistive devices on flights within the United States, and on flights to and from Canada. The notice and claim requirements, however, do apply.